Crossing Community Church

Throughout the story of David's life, he has had seasons of great faith and other's of faithlessness. In our study this week, David shows why he is the "man after God's own heart" when he chooses to celebrate and honor Saul upon his death instead of recount his misdeeds through years. David's example should be a challenge to any of us as we consider how our hearts react with someone who opposes us stumbles or falls!!

Midway through chapter 30 David finds himself alone. Far from his family, his nation, his people -- his God. As those who have been most loyal to him grumble against him and threaten to stone him, David hits rock bottom. Feeling totally isolated, he seeks God and finds him waiting to help. 

In our study of 1 Samuel this week, we come to the story of Saul seeking out a medium to learn what to do about the gathering army of the Philistines. What we learn from Saul is the strong motivating force of fear to do the things we know are wrong!

In 1 Samuel 26 & 27 we see two sides of David. One that is inspired by faith. Another that appears to be void of any faith. Today in our study of the life of David, Pastor Tim challenges us to consider two points. 

#1. In our daily walk with the Lord and being sanctified into His likeness, there are days, even seasons of when we are not growing and perhaps even in rebellion. But no matter what our walk with Him is like, God never changes his mind about you. He loves you with an undying love and compassion. Be encouraged. 

#2. Not everything is as it appears. Sometimes we think God has opened a door for us but too often that door violates His principles and character. Pay close attention to how we think God is providing. It will never be in opposition to His sinless character!

Life is often more messy then we like to admit. We have lapses in our faith to Christ and when life's messy parts begin to overwhelm us we are tempted to make bad decisions. We often try to work out our messy lives in our own strength, in our own power, and try to control things that are out of our control. In 1 Samuel 25 we learn a simple but difficult truth and it is what David was challenged with, that is, trust in the Lord who is in control because His grace is at work in you. It is an unshakable trust in the Lord's providence and resting in the Lord's grace that guides us through life's most uncertain times. 

Sola Scriptura: Youth Sunday

During Paul's final moments he pens a letter to Timothy with an urgent conviction about the sufficiency of the Scriptures. During their day there was much suffering, death, persecution, defection, errors in belief about right teaching and errors in behavior and Paul's answer was Scripture alone. This is still the case today and the answer is still Scripture Alone, it is sufficient to save lost sinners, it is sufficient to change lost sinners and it is sufficient to declare to a dead and dying world. This is what we learn from Paul's words to Timothy and the confidence we should have in the power of Christ's finished work on the Cross. 

Instead of killing Saul when he had the chance, David showed him kindness — and it brought Saul to repentance. What enabled him to show Saul such mercy? And how does David’s kindness point us to the kindness of an even greater king?

Genesis 24 is the story of Abraham's servant seeking a wife for his son, Isaac. Dr. Breece goes into detail on the specific way God answered the prayer of identifying who Isaac's wife should be!! At the very heart of finding a wife for Issac is one of those incidents of a "God Thing" -- a time when God does something that is undeniable!

Our two chapters in 1 Samuel reveal a change in heart in David. While the text doesn't explicitly say it, the connection between David's deception of chapter 21 and the newfound faith of chapter 23 is the consequences of his sin in chapter 22 on the family of Ahimelech and the entire population of the village of Nob. The outworking of David's faith is seen in his writing in Psalm. Pastor Tim leads us through a study of Psalm 18 where David's wholeheartedly dependance on God is evident!

Chapter 21 marks a turning point in David's story. Thus far he has sought God and been found faithful and rewarded by God for his dependance. But in our text today, David takes his eyes off God and 'leans unto his own understanding' with horrible consequences.